A council in Western Australia's mining heartland has become the latest local government to recognise same-sex unions.

The Town of Port Hedland has endorsed the confidential Relationship Declaration Register policy, which will formally recognise the relationship status of couples in the Pilbara town, irrespective of gender.

The motion required a simple majority vote and was passed 6-2.

The policy mirrors that of the City of Vincent in Perth, which is the state's only other local government to have taken the step.

Mayor Kelly Howlett said under the policy, couples living in WA would be able to declare they were partners, and have the declaration recorded in the Town of Port Hedland Relationship Declaration Register.

"It means couples, whether they be heterosexual or same sex can come in and make a declaration," she said.

"It's not equivalent to same sex marriage but it is a formal recognition of a relationship."

Ms Howlett said the declaration would not change the legal status of couples, but might be presented as evidence of the existence of a relationship in some legal proceedings.

"It can be used in circumstances particularly around wills, medical treatment and burials," she said.

"It doesn't confer legal rights, in the way that marriage does.

"But it may be used in legal proceedings that involve interpretation or application of legislative provisions."

Only two submissions opposed recognition

The Port Hedland Lesbian and Gay Society introduced the item to council for consideration.

Founding member and deputy mayor Gloria Jacob is in a same-sex relationship.

"I am actually very proud to be part of a progressive council that's showing leadership in a small step towards the recognition of same-sex unions, especially in regional Australia," she said.

The Town of Port Hedland's proposal had been open to public feedback.

It attracted 13 individual submissions and more than 110 signatures on two petitions in favour of the policy.

Two individual submissions opposed the plan.

Ms Jacob said while same-sex couples wait for national recognition of their unions, it was a positive step for Port Hedland.

"Becoming the first regional town centre to recognise and have a relationship declaration policy just tells you what this community is all about," she said.

"We are inclusive, we are progressive, we are not afraid to go where other communities are currently a little bit tentative to go."